U.S. patent number 4,651,442 [Application Number 06/787,597] was granted by the patent office on 1987-03-24 for nozzle assembly for vehicle drying apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Wash World Industries Limited. Invention is credited to Ronald McIntyre.
United States Patent |
4,651,442 |
McIntyre |
March 24, 1987 |
Nozzle assembly for vehicle drying apparatus
Abstract
A nozzle assembly for a vehicle, e.g. car drying apparatus has a
housing with an inlet for air. In use, the inlet is connected by a
hose to a source of air such as a fan. A main partition in the
housing divides the air flow into first and second substantially
equal flows on either side of the partition. A flow dividing member
divides the second flow into two equal parts. Two, second nozzles
are formed for these two parts of the flow, and a first nozzle is
provided on the other side of the partition for the first flow.
Inventors: |
McIntyre; Ronald (Guelph,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Wash World Industries Limited
(Mississauga, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
4128910 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/787,597 |
Filed: |
October 15, 1985 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/229; 15/316.1;
239/556; 239/565; 34/666 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S
3/002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60S
3/00 (20060101); F26B 015/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;34/243C,243R,222,229
;239/556,565 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schwartz; Larry I.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rogers, Bereskin & Parr
Claims
I claim:
1. A nozzle assembly for use in a vehicle drying apparatus, the
nozzle assembly comprising: a housing having an inlet for
connection to an air supply hose; a main transverse partition
within the housing dividing air flow from the inlet into a first
part flow passing on one side of the partition and a substantially
equal, second part flow passing on the other side of the main
partition with the second part flow behind the first part flow; a
first nozzle, for the first part flow, defined by the housing and
said one side of the main partition; a flow dividing member located
between the first partition and the housing and dividing the second
part flow into two substantially equal flow portions; two second
nozzles for the two flow portions, defined between the housing, the
main partition and the flow dividing member, the two second nozzles
being arranged symmetrically on either side of an axis of the
nozzle assembly and being directed to either side of the nozzle
assembly; whereby, in use, when the nozzle assembly is arranged
generally perpendicularly above a horizontal surface with the
second nozzles behind the first nozzle, air flow from the first
nozzle is primarily deflected both forwards and backwards in a
longitudinal direction, and air flows from the second nozzles are
deflected primarily sideways, to displace standing water sideways
off the horizontal surface, a rounded air flow pattern being formed
in front of the nozzle assembly.
2. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for each of
the first and second nozzles, the cross-section decreases in a
direction from the inlet of the housing to an outlet of that
nozzle, to cause acceleration of air flow through the nozzle
assembly.
3. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing
comprises an end wall, in which the inlet is located, two side
walls extending from either side of the end wall, and first and
second walls extending from the end wall and between the side
walls, to define an outer periphery of the housing.
4. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the main
partition extends between the side walls, and the first and second
walls are disposed symmetrically on either side of the main
partition.
5. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 4, which includes an inner
first wall disposed inside the housing adjacent and spaced from the
first wall, two side partitions, corresponding to the two side
walls, and disposed within the housing adjacent and spaced from the
side walls, and an elongate rectangular closure strip closing off a
space between the first wall and the inner first wall, the first
nozzle being defined between the inner first wall, the side
partitions and the main partition.
6. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 5, which includes a first
central partition extending longitudinally of the nozzle assembly
between the inner first wall and the main partition, to divide the
first nozzle into substantially equal halves.
7. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 5, which includes: two
second side partition elements disposed within the housing,
adjacent the side walls and between the main partition and the
second wall; a second central partition extending longitudinally of
the nozzle assembly and a flow dividing partition, together forming
said flow dividing member; an inner second wall element, located
within the housing spaced from the second wall and extending
between the second side partition elements and the flow dividing
member, each of the second nozzles being defined by one of the
second side partition elements, one of the inner second wall
elements, the flow dividing partition and the main partition.
8. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the
second nozzles has two parallel sides formed by the respective
second side partition element and the flow dividing partition.
9. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 5, 7 or 8, which includes
sound insulating material within the housing and around the first
and second nozzles.
10. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, 4 or 7, which includes
two inlets.
11. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 7, which includes sound
insulating material within the housing and around the first and
second nozzles, and which includes two inlets, which open on either
side of the first and second central partitions with the flow from
each inlet being divided substantially equally by the main
partition.
12. A nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein each inlet is
of circular cross-section.
13. A vehicle drying apparatus comprising a support structure;
producer means for supplying air; and a nozzle assembly which
comprises a housing having an inlet connected to the producer
means, a main, transverse partition within the housing dividing air
flow from the inlet into a first part flow passing on one side of
the partititon and a substantially equal, second part flow passing
on the other side of the main partition with the second part flow
behind the first part flow, a first nozzle for the part flow,
defined by the housing and said one side of the main partition, a
flow dividing member located between the first partition and the
housing and dividing the second part flow into two substantially
equal fow portions, two second nozzles from the two flow portions,
defined between the housing, the main partition and the flow
dividing member, the two second nozzles being arranged symetrically
on either side of an axis of the nozzle assembly and being directed
to either side of the nozzle assembly, which nozzle assembly is
connected to the support structure by a linkage permitting vertical
movement of the nozzle assembly; whereby, in use, when a vehicle
passes underneath the nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly
traverses a surface of the vehicle, air flow from the first nozzle
is primarily deflected both forwards and backwards in a
longitudinal direction relative to that surface, and air flows from
the second nozzles are deflected primarily sideways relative to
that surface, to displace standing water sideways off that surface,
a rounded air flow pattern being formed in front of the nozzle
assembly.
14. A vehicle drying apparatus comprising:
a support structure;
producer means for supplying air;
two air supply hoses connected to the producer means; and
a nozzle assembly which comprises:
a housing comprising an end wall, two side walls extending from
either side of the end wall, first and second walls extending from
the end wall and between the side walls, and two inlets in the end
wall, which inlets are connected to the hoses;
a main, transverse partition within the housing extending between
the side walls, with the first and second walls disposed
symetrically on either side of the main partition, and arranged to
divide airflow from the inlets into first and second substantially
equal part flows, passing on either side of the partition;
a first nozzle defined by an inner first wall disposed inside the
housing adjacent and spaced from the first wall, two side
partitions, corresponding to the two side walls and disposed within
the housing adjacent and spaced from the side walls, and an
elongate rectangular closure strip closing off a space between the
first wall and the inner first wall, with the main partition
defining one side of the first nozzle; and
two second nozzles, defined by two second side partition elements
disposed within the housing adjacent the side walls and between the
main partition and the second wall, a second central partition
extending longitudinally off the nozzle assembly a flow dividing
partition, together forming said flow dividing member, an inner
second wall element located within the housing spaced from the
second wall and extending between the second side partition
elements and the flow dividing member with the main partition
defining one side of each second nozzle;
wherein the two second nozzles are arranged symetrically on either
side of an axis of the nozzle assembly and are directed to either
side of the nozzle assembly;
whereby, in use, when a vehicle surface passes underneath the
nozzle assembly, air flow from the first nozzle is primarily
deflected both forwards and backwards in a longitudinal direction
off the surface, and air flows from the second nozzles are
deflected primarily sideways to displace standing water sideways
off the surface, a rounded air flow pattern being formed in front
of the nozzle assembly.
15. A vehicle drying apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
nozzle assembly is provided with wheels and is connected to the
support structure by a linkage means for applying a uniform
downward pressure to the nozzle assembly irrespective of its
position, whereby, in use, a vehicle can be passed beneath the
nozzle assembly and the wheels enable the nozzle assembly to travel
over the vehicle whilst being maintained against it at a constant
pressure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a nozzle assembly for a vehicle drying
apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Vehicle drying apparatus are used in conjunction with car wash
plants, to dry vehicles after washing, to ensure that the vehicle
is as clean as possible without any marks. Known drying apparatus
include a nozzle connected by flexible ducts to air pumps or
producers. The nozzle is mounted by a linkage that permits movement
of the nozzle. A washed vehicle is driven through the apparatus,
and under the nozzle. The linkage enables the nozzle to follow the
profile of the vehicle and to remain a uniform distance from it.
For this purpose, the nozzle is provided with wheels, to enable it
to travel over the vehicle. As the nozzle travels over the vehicle,
warm air is pumped through the nozzle, to dry the outside of the
vehicle.
It has been found that this known arrangment has some
disadvantages. After a vehicle has been washed, a considerable
quantity of water remains on the surface of the vehicle, in the
form of drops, or even quite large pools of water. This occurs
predominantly on the larger horizontal surfaces, such as the roof,
hood and trunk lid. Known nozzle designs essentially provide a
stream of air directed vertically downwards. Whilst a small portion
of this air flow is deflected to either side, the air flow has
little effect in moving any standing water of the surface of the
vehicle. It has been found that, to obtain efficient drying, it is
necessary that the air flow serves to move standing water off the
horizontal surfaces. If this water is not moved, as opposed to
simply being evaporated, then the drying capacity of the apparatus
is not sufficient to evaporate all the standing water. As a
consequence, the vehicle will not be properly dried. What is
required is a nozzle which will blow standing water off horizontal
surfaces, so that the air flow need then only evaporate any small
droplets or thin films of water remaining on the vehicle
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a nozzle assembly for use in a
drying apparatus, and a vehicle drying apparatus including a nozzle
assembly. The nozzle assembly has a housing with an inlet for
connection to an air supply hose. In use, the inlet is connected,
by a hose to a source of air such as a fan. The housing includes a
main partition within the housing that divides the air flow from
the inlet into a first flow on one side of the partition and a
substantially equal second flow on the other side of the partition.
A first nozzle is defined on the one side of the partition. A flow
dividing member is provided between the partition and the housing.
This flow dividing member divides the second flow into two
substantially equal flow portions. Two second nozzles for the two
flow portions are defined between the housing, the main partition
and the flow dividing member.
The housing preferably has side walls that taper outwards, and
first and second walls extending between the side walls and
tapering inwards. The first nozzle is then defined by the main
partition, portions of the side walls and the first wall. Each
second nozzle is then defined by parts of a respective side wall,
the main partition, the second wall and the flow dividing member.
First and second central partitions can be provided. The first
central partition divides the first nozzle into two halves, and the
second central partition forms part of the flow dividing member.
The assembly preferably then has two inlets opening on either side
of the central partitions.
In use, substantially half the air flow through the assembly flows
through the first nozzle, and through each of the second nozzles
approximately 1/4 of the air flows. The air flow through the main
first nozzle provides a uniform air flow over the surface of the
vehicle, to dry it. The air flow through the two side nozzles, due
to their angle, serves to blow away any standing water on the
surface of the vehicle, and additionally to dry side portions of
the surface of the vehicle adjacent to the nozzle.
It is expected that the nozzles of the present invention should
provide a considerably approved drying performance in comparison to
known nozzles. By separating the air flow into different portions,
one obtains considerably better removal of standing water from the
surface of the vehicle. It has been found that it is necessary to
provide two discrete outlets directed sideways, to ensure good
removal of standing water. Experience shows that this effect cannot
satisfactorily be achieved by providing a single nozzle,
incorporating means for deflecting part of the flow sideways.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show
more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now
be made by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, which show
a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in which:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the vehicle drying apparatus
according to the present invention, and a vehicle;
FIG. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale, an exploded view of a nozzle
according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows a view of the nozzle of FIG. 2, and associated
components; and
FIG. 4 shows a side view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and a
front of a vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a vehicle drying
apparatus, generally denoted by the reference 1. A vehicle 2 is
shown beneath the apparatus 1.
The vehicle drying apparatus 1 has four legs 4, and supported on
the legs 4 a main drying unit 6. Within the drying unit 6, there
are fans or producers for pumping air. These producers are shown by
broken lines at 8. Two hoses 10 and associated outlet tubes 12 are
provided for drying the sides of a car. For clarity, the producers
for these hoses 10 are not shown. The producers 8 draw in air from
the surrounding atmosphere, and have outlets connected to hoses 14.
All the hoses are corrugated flexible hoses. The hoses 14 are
connected to inlets of a nozzle assembly 16.
As is shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the nozzle assembly 16 is
connected by support arms 20 to the drying unit 6. The support arms
20 are pivotally attached by pivots 22 to the nozzle assembly 16,
and by bearings 24 to the drying unit 4. The arms 20 continue above
the bearings 24 and are provided with an adjustable counterweight
26. Additional positioning arms 28 are provided for controlling the
angular position of the nozzle assembly 16. One end of each
positioning arm 28 is pivotally attached to the drying unit 6,
whilst the other end is pivotally attached to a bracket 30 of the
nozzle assembly 16. The pivots 22 are additionally secured to the
brackets 30.
As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle assembly 16 can move in an arc
relative to the drying unit 6, whilst maintaining the same angular
position. The support and positioning arms 20, 28 are so arranged
as to form a parallelogram linkage. In FIG. 4 a lowermost position
of the nozzle assembly is indicated by the reference 16, whilst two
higher positions are shown in dotted lines and indicated by the
references 17, 18. For controlling the position of the nozzle
assembly, two piston and cylinder asemblies 32 are provided. The
cylinder of each assembly 32 is attached to the drying unit 6,
whilst the piston is attached to one of the support arms 20. In
use, the counterweight 26 is adjusted, so that it just raises the
nozzle assembly 16 to its uppermost position 18. Then, to bring the
nozzle assembly 16 down against a vehicle, air at a small preset
pressure is supplied to the piston and cylinder assemblies 32.
Additionally, the piston and cylinder assemblies 32 can include
shock absorbing means, such as an oil damper, to restrict any
sudden movement of the nozzle assembly 16.
The nozzle assembly 16 is further provided with two wheels 34
mounted via brackets 36.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show details of the nozzle assembly 16. The nozzle
assembly 16 comprises a housing, denoted by the reference 40. The
housing 40 includes two inlet ducts 42 of circular section, for
connection to the hoses 14. These inlet ducts 42 are secured to a
back plate 44. The back plate 44 is continuous with two side walls
46, which are inclined relative to the back wall 44. End portions
48 of the side walls 46 are parallel to one another and extend
perpendicularly relative to the back wall 44. A first or top wall
50 and a second or bottom wall 52 are provided to complete the
outside of the housing.
Inside, a partition 54 is provided, which is located symmetrically
between the first and second walls 50, 52, and extends between the
side walls 46. A first central partition 56, and two first side
partitions 58 are provided between the main partition 54 and the
first wall 50. An edge strip of the first wall 50 is bent at an
angle, so as to be parallel to the partition 54. An inner first
wall 51 is provided, parallel to, and spaced below, the first wall
50. This inner first wall extends between the side walls 46. A
first nozzle outlet is defined between the inner first wall 51, the
partition 54 and the first side partitions 58. A rectangular strip
60 is mounted to cover the space between the first wall 50 and the
inner wall 51 as shown in FIG. 3. The first nozzle outlet has the
profile shown in FIG. 3, and is indicated by the reference 62.
Beneath the partition 54, as viewed in FIG. 2, a second central
partition 70 is provided. In addition, two second partition
elements 72 of triangular profile are provided. A further flow
dividing partition 74 intersects the second central partition 70.
Each side of the flow dividing partition 74 is parallel to a
corresponding side of one of the side partition elements 72.
An edge portion of the second or bottom wall 52 is arranged at an
angle to a main portion of it, so as to be parallel to the main
partition 54. Extending between the flow dividing partition 74 and
the two side partitions 72 are panels 76, which are uniformly
spaced from the second wall 52. Across the end of the nozzle
assembly 16, a strip 78 is provided. The strip 78 closes off the
space between the panels 76 and the second wall 52, and in a
central region the space between the main partition 54 and the
second wall 52. Consequently, two second nozzle outlets are formed,
as indicated at 80 in FIG. 3.
Sound insulation material is provided between the first wall 50,
the inner wall 51, between the first side partitions 58 and the
side walls 46, between the side partition elements 72 and the side
walls 46, and between the second wall 52 and the panels 76.
The profile of the first nozzle outlet 62 tapers inwards, between
the main partition 54 and an inner first wall 51, whilst the side
partitions 58 taper outwards. The overall effect is to achieve a
uniform reduction in the flow cross-section, in the normal
direction of air flow, which causes the air to accelerate as it
approaches the first nozzle outlet 62. The flow cross-section
increase provided by the outward taper of the side partitions 58 is
considerably less than the flow cross-section decrease caused by
the inward taper between the main partition 54 and the inner first
wall 51.
Similarly, for each of the second nozzle outlets 80, there is a
uniform decrease in flow cross-section, as the air approaches the
actual nozzle outlet. Here, the relevant portions of the two
triangular side partitions 72 and the flow dividing partition 74
are parallel to one another, but the panels 76 taper inwards
towards the main partition 54.
The main partition 54 is arranged on the axis of the two circular
section inlets 42, so that the flow from these two inlets 42 is
divided evenly between the first nozzle 62 and the second nozzle
80, with half the flow going to the first nozzle 62 and half going
to the second nozzles 80. As the two second nozzles 80 are of the
same size, the same quantity of air flows through both nozzle, i.e.
1/4 of the total air flow flows through each nozzle 80.
In use, the counterweight 26 is preferably adjusted, so that there
is a small net weight tending to keep the nozzle assembly in its
uppermost position 18. Then, to maintain the nozzle assembly
against a vehicle, a small pressure is supplied to the piston and
cylinder assembly 32. This pressure tends to bring the nozzle
assembly down to the position 16 shown in FIG. 4.
In FIGS. 1 and 4, a vehicle is generally denoted by the reference
90. To dry the vehicle, it is moved slowly through the drying
apparatus 1. This can be achieved either by simply driving the
vehicle through, or by providing a mechanism for moving the vehicle
through the apparatus at a slow steady speed. When the vehicle 90
reaches the nozzle assembly 16, the forward wheel 32 contacts the
vehicle, as shown in FIG. 4. Typically, this wheel 32 will contact
the vehicle near the front of its hood. Depending on the vehicle
type, the pressure supplied to the piston and cylinder assembly 32
can be adjusted to maintain the nozzle assembly against the vehicle
at any desired pressure.
As the vehicle continues to travel beneath the nozzle assembly, as
indicated by the arrow 92 in FIG. 4, the nozzle assembly deflects
to follow the profile of the vehicle. Thus, when the roof of the
vehicle reaches the nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly will rise
up to a position around that shown at 17. The parallelogram linkage
formed by the arms 20, 28 ensures that the orientation of the
nozzle assembly remains constant, as indicated at the positions 16,
17 and 18. Depending upon the exact portion of the vehicle adjacent
the nozzle assembly, either one or both of the wheels 32 will
contact the vehicle, to maintain the nozzle assembly 16 at a
required spacing from the vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first nozzle 62 is provided ahead of the
second nozzles 80. Air supplied from the producers 8 then flows
through these nozzles 62, 80, to provide a rounded fan-like air
flow over the horizontal or near horizontal surfaces of the
vehicle. For these surfaces, the air flow from the first nozzle 62
is primarily deflected forwards and backwards, with some slight
deflection sideways. It should additionally be noted that the
output taper of the first nozzle 62 causes some air flow sideways.
The nozzles 80, located behind the first nozzle 62, provide
substantial side flows. These side flows serve to blow away any
standing water or large droplets from the horizontal surfaces. This
water is either blown entirely off the surface and down the sides
of the vehicle, or where applicable, into gutters, such as the
gutters around the edge of the hood. Since any such standing water
is moved or displaced, the air flow from the nozzles 62,80 then
only has to dry the small amount of water remaining on the
vehicle.
It is to be appreciated that the location of the second nozzles 80
behind the first nozzle 62 provides a desired patent for the air
flow from the nozzle assembly 16. If the nozzles 80 were located
ahead of the third nozzle 62, then a rounded front to the air flow
from the nozzle 16 would not be provided. This could result in a
pool of water being trapped along the centre line of the vehicle
between the two nozzles 80. Then, as the vehicle passed beneath the
nozzle assembly 16, this pool of water would be driven along the
centre line by the flow from the first nozzle 62.
* * * * *